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Perfection is a noble goal. The fact is we are not perfect. Each one of us
has imperfections, idiosyncrasies that identify us. Things we struggle with
and against. They exist to remind us that we are not there yet. It’s okay to
acknowledge the things we still need to work on. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What we see isn’t always what we get. It is also true that what we think
is happening and the reality of the story are sometimes very different. I
point to the ugly side of social media, a place where things are said,
accusations are leveled, conclusions are drawn and opinions are made. I am
not sure what the motivation is, but I am sure it is not to help move things
in a positive direction.
Racing is full of passion, full of characters, full of individuals joined
together by a desire to race. Why do we expend so much time and effort to
tear it down? I guess we all do not have the same desire to see the sport we
love thrive and flourish. I think we need to heed the advice of Jesus.
Matthew 7:1-5; NLT,
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in
judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in
your own?
4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of
that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well
enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
I think we need to take a step back and
realize we all have enough of our own issues to deal with and should turn
our attention to ourselves before we start picking at others. It has become
a popular past time to pick at others. It seems that is all we do. If we
continue we may destroy the sport we claim to care so much about.
I do need to point out that the people of racing comprise some of the
most eclectic cross section of society I can imagine. From those who earn
six figure plus incomes to those who are just getting by paycheck to
paycheck to those who choose to race over eating. We are racers, we come to
run against the best and win.
I was reminded the other day of how a racer is born. A friend brought his
young son to an open house at the local Quarter-midget track. Now his son
had already played some stick and ball sports, those were fun but nothing
compared to this. I received a picture of this little guy all suited up
sitting in the car. His dad gave him two instructions, “Don’t hit the wall
and keep it out of the grass”. Done, a racer is born. The little guy took
off and started turning laps. The video revealed he followed his
instructions well. He was running like a pro. It would be hard to believe
this was the first time he ever drove a car. A racer is born, he can’t wait
to go back. I think dad is figuring out how to fit the racing equipment in
the garage. The smile on a young boys face when you ask him about it tells
everything. The next generation is coming.
We need to remember we are just custodians of this thing we call racing.
We are here to preserve it for the next generation. We are not here to
destroy and tear it down. Let us consider how we can encourage, support and
help it survive.
As much as we need to focus on what we have in common in racing than what
our differences are the same can be said in our lives. Society has fallen
into a trap of feeling the world revolves around the individual. We are
individuals but we are interdependent. The quality of our life is connected
to those around us. As I said earlier, each one of us has imperfections,
idiosyncrasies that identify us. Wouldn’t it be great if we would
acknowledge that and not feel the need to point it out?
Sometimes we are too quick to judge others and not consider our own
shortcomings. We need to check our desire to point out the flaws we see in
others at the door. If we follow the advice of Jesus we would look at our
own faults. We would realize that the whole story, the reasons behind what
we see and hear are much different than what we think. Jesus instructs us to
be careful before you pick up a stone and throw it.
John 8:1-11, NLT,
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was
back again at the Temple.
A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was
speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the
crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of
adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They
were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him,
but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept
demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the
one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down
again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped
away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the
middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to
the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
We have the power to heal, forgive and
restore the lives of people around us. First we need take a step back and
understand we are not the judge and jury. We have the power to build up and
not tear down. If we follow the teaching of Jesus we will see ourselves as
we truly are and consider how we might take steps to deal with our own
issues before we decide to condemn others because of their issues.
We will always be tempted to point out the error we perceive others are
making. It is far easier to point out what is wrong than to look deeper and
find the good. Resist that temptation! It tears down the racing community,
it tears apart lives and it will destroy all we have.
“…let the one who has never sinned throw the first
stone!”
Until next time, remember God loves you
and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful
support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. Remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
 Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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